Fuller joined Stoke from Southampton in August 2006 for �500,000

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes Ricardo Fuller is getting close to his best form again after scoring in the 4-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.

"Ric has trained like he can train this week," Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke. "I think he's been a little bit off it but I've had a chat with him about things.

"He's looked sharper and more within the group than he has for a while.

"He's a great player, he can do special things and I'm really pleased for him to score a goal."

Jonathan Walters, Jermaine Pennant and Danny Higginbotham also found the net as the Potters scored four goals in a game for the first time since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

Fuller's late strike was his 49th goal for Stoke and rounded off a comprehensive victory.

The Jamaica international had looked set to leave the Britannia Stadium in January, with Sunderland reportedly having a £3m bid rejected for the player.

Pulis admitted he was worried that the club's run to the last four of the FA Cup would detract from the Potters' main objective of staying in the Premier League.

"There was such euphoria and I didn't want the players to lose focus," added the Stoke boss. "I was very concerned this week about making sure they were focused on the job in hand."

Stoke are up to 10th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.

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